Hyphens and Dashes

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What is a hyphen?

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A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark used to join words or parts of words, such as in compound words (e.g., mother-in-law) or to indicate a word break at the end of a line.

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What is a dash?

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A dash (– or —) is a punctuation mark used to create a strong break in the structure of a sentence. There are two types: en dash (–) and em dash (—).

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When should you use a hyphen in compound adjectives?

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Use a hyphen in compound adjectives when they come before a noun (e.g., well-known author).

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When should you not use a hyphen in compound adjectives?

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Do not use a hyphen when the compound adjective comes after the noun (e.g., The author is well known).

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What is the purpose of using dashes in a sentence?

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Dashes are used to set off information or to create emphasis, often replacing commas or parentheses.

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How do you use a long dash?

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A long dash (—) is used to indicate a break in thought or to set off a phrase that adds information.

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What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

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A hyphen connects words, while a dash indicates a pause or break in a sentence.

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What punctuation mark is used to connect two last names?

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A hyphen is used to connect two last names when parents give their child both names (e.g., Smith-Jones).

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How do you punctuate a sentence with additional information?

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You can use dashes to offset additional information in a sentence (e.g., My brother—who lives in New York—visited us last week).

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What is an en dash?

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An en dash (–) is used to indicate a range of values, such as dates or numbers (e.g., 1990–2000).